Text messaging service could help reduce opioid relapses

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine and Epharmix, a St. Louis-based digital health vendor, have developed an automated text messaging service that they believe can reduce opioid abuse and decrease the chances of patient relapse.

Using the service called EpxSubstanceUse, patients receive text messages asking them if they’re feeling alright or struggling with potential relapse. Patients who report they are struggling receive automated follow-up questions that are used to classify their risk for relapse, based on a three-tiered triage system that assesses patient risk as high, moderate or low.